Have You Found What You’re Looking For?

Text: Luke 2:8-16.

Scientists have looked for the evolutionary “missing link” but they’ve never found it.

Mankind has sought to find life on other planets and in other galaxies and they’ve never found it.

People have tried to find Big Foot and have never found “it.”

Yesterday, my wife and I went shopping. We were surrounded by people looking for that “perfect” gift.

We all know the frustration of looking for something and not be able to find it.

What’s the one question that the cashiers usually ask when you bring your items to the check out in the department store? Did you find everything that you were looking for?

In Luke chapter 2, the angels brought the message of the newborn Savior to a group of shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night.

Fields in Bethlehem

After the angels left, the shepherds said…

Luke 2:15 (KJV 1900)

…Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Then, in verse 16 we read:

Luke 2:16 (KJV 1900)

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Notice that it says that they found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe.

The Greek word that is used for found in that verse is only twice in the New Testament. Once here and then again in Acts 21:14.

It means…

An Intermediate Greek-English Lexicon (ἀνευρίσκω)

ἀν-ευρίσκω, f. -ευρήσω, aor. 2 -εῦρον:—Pass.,aor. I -ευρέθην:—to find out, make out, discover, Hdt., Att.:—Pass. to be found out or discovered, Thuc.; c. part. to be discovered to be. . , Hdt.

And it carries the idea of discovering or determining the existence, the presence, or fact of something.

In other words, after the angels had shared their message with the shepherds, the shepherds decided to find out, “Were the angels telling them the truth?”

From Luke chapter 2 we understand that, yes indeed, the angels had told the truth and they found, in Bethlehem, exactly what the angels had said, “…a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

The shepherds were not disappointed. They had found what they were looking for!

Luke 2:20 KJV 1900

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Question: What are some things that people are looking for?

What is it that you are looking for? Have you found it?

In 1987, the Irish rock band, U2, released a song that became the band's second consecutive number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100 while peaking at number six on the UK Singles Chart.

In 2010, the Rolling Stone magazine placed this song at #93 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

One publication, about this song, wrote:

[It]…exhibits influences from gospel music and its lyrics describe spiritual yearning.

Several publications…called the [song] "hypnotic" and interpreted it as depicting the band on a spiritual quest.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Still_Haven%27t_Found_What_I%27m_Looking_For

The name of the song? I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For?

I have spoke with the tongue of angels I have held the hand of a devil It was warm in the night I was cold as a stone

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I believe in the kingdom come Then all the colors will bleed into one Bleed into one But yes I'm still running

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

You broke the bonds And you loosed the chains Carried the cross Of my shame Oh my shame You know I believe it

But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

I would like to suggest that, if you haven’t found what you’re looking for, than one of several things is possible:

You’ve listened to the wrong person for advice in finding what it is that you’re looking for.

You’re looking for the wrong thing.

You’re looking in the wrong place.

That night, the shepherds listened to the angels.

God has given us something much better than angel messengers to point us in the right direction. He has given us 1) His word and 2) the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 119:105 KJV 1900

NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:130 KJV 1900

The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalm 119:133 KJV 1900

Order my steps in thy word: And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

John 16:13 KJV 1900

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

That night, the shepherds were looking for a Saviour.

Luke 2:11 KJV 1900

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

A Saviour; a Deliverer. Someone who rescues something/someone from danger or violence.

Jesus Christ, through His death, burial, and resurrection, is able to rescue us from sin and the resulting danger of judgment.

Romans 6:23 KJV 1900

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

That night, the shepherds looked in the right place.

Luke 2:15 (KJV 1900)

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Interesting to note that the angels message agreed with Scripture that had already been given centuries before by the prophet Micah:

Micah 5:2 KJV 1900

But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, Though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Note: Be sure that the advice you receive agrees with Scripture.

The shepherds found what they were searching for; they found the Messiah and they rejoiced!

Luke 2:20 KJV 1900

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Barney Warren, around the turn of the 20th century, wrote one of the hymns in our hymnal, It Is Joy Unspeakable:

I have found His grace is all complete, He supplieth ev’ry need; While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet, I am free, yes, free indeed.

I have found the pleasure I once craved, It is joy and peace within; What a wondrous blessing! I am saved From the awful gulf of sin.

I have found that hope so bright and clear, Living in the realm of grace; Oh, the Savior’s presence is so near, I can see His smiling face.

I have found the joy no tongue can tell, How its waves of glory roll! It is like a great o’erflowing well, Springing up within my soul.

Regardless of what you find - or don’t find -under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning, I can assure you that everything you could ever hope to find in this life can only be found in Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 29:11–14 (KJV 1900)

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

And I will be found of you, saith the Lord: and I will turn away your captivity, and I will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I have driven you, saith the Lord; and I will bring you again into the place whence I caused you to be carried away captive.